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Sunday, May 24, 2009

Opportunities

Each of us faces challenges and tests each day. It is hard to see these as blessings when in the midst of the crisis. But when we look back with our spiritual eyes, we can see that each trial, each test, each challenge was in fact a blessing. It was a opportunity for us to get closer to the Lord, to strengthen our spiritual muscles, and come close to Him that loves us.

Most importantly, the Lord has provided us the opportunity to repent. The opportunity to clean the slate and try again. Some give up trying to be better, thinking that the Lord is tired of their attempts at repentance. But Brigham Young taught differently,

“Do not throw away a man or a woman, old or young. If they commit an evil today, and another tomorrow, but wish to be Saints and to be forgiven, do you forgive them — not only seven times, but seventy times seven in a day, if their hearts are fully set to do right. Let us make it a point to pass over their weaknesses and say, ‘God bless you in trying to be better in time to come."

The Lord wants us to keep trying, to face each challenge as an opportunity to strengthen our spirituals and draw closer to Him.

Robert M. Wilkes gave an excellent talk on Opportunity at the BYU-Idaho Devotional, Feb. 10,2009. You can read it here, or listen to it here.

1 comment:

Richard,I really enjoyed reviewing this blog today. I especially like the links to the LDS Provident living website.

One tip about gardening: As the days begin to get really hot this time of year in the Phoenix area, a good way to preserve your tomato plants and increase the production is to put shade screen over the top of the plants to protect them from the harsh mid-day rays. We put up a screen that cuts out 50% of the rays and it seems to be working well.

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-Richard

Welcome to the BLOG

After an on-going discussion with my family and neighbors I decided it would be nice to have a place where we could post thoughts, ideas, and helpful hints.

Since I am LDS, I thought it would be advantageous to reference the Provident Living website as often as possible. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has done a wonderful job in putting together a really helpful and useful site.

You will see my posts as Flat Tail Chef, this is the Mountain Man name given to me by my fellow Rendezvous staffers. So don't be surprised if my posts lean toward dutch oven cooking and that sort of thing.